Autism Interventions What’s The Best Choice for Your Child. Abbie Johnson English 1010 Rebecca Miner

 According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “No 2 children with ASD have the exact same symptoms…and how severe they are can vary greatly.”  Because every child with ASD is different, an intervention plan that works for one child, may not work for another. That is why it is crucial for parents to be attentive and to seek for professional help early on. Every Child with ASD is Unique.

 Parents, physicians, teachers, and society often ask the question, “What treatments are best for a child with autism?”  The American Academy of Pediatrics believes, “The most effective treatments include a comprehensive, intensive program of educational, developmental, and behavioral therapies. However, progress may be slow and because researchers have not been able to explain what causes ASD, Many families may try new treatments that may not have been scientifically studied.”  One parent commented in regards to alternative treatments, “At first I tried to resist, but hope won out over skepticism.” Every Child is Unique, continued…

“Hopeful” Alternative Treatments. Some of the alternative, and expensive treatments NOT approved for safety or efficacy, include: -Immunoglobulin ($10,000 for one infusion.) -Gluten and Casein free diets -Vitamins and Supplements -Secretin ($90 per week.) -Chelation ($3000 for six months.) -Stem Cells ($15000) -Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber ($3000 for 3 months.) -Sensory Integration Therapy ($6000 for one year.) -* Information on alternative treatments provided by, U.S. News & World Report writer Nancy Shute.

Autism Speaks  Autism Speaks, “has grown into the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.”  They state that, “there are no commonly accepted standards for autism treatment, and families are often left to navigate the course of their child's future on their own.”  However they state that most families participate in one intensive intervention that meets their needs. These interventions involve hours and hours of therapy a week, addressing Behavioral, Developmental and Educational goals.  They recognize that most parents would gladly welcome a cure for their child’s ASD, however they realistically state, “Just as your child's challenges can't be summed up in one word, they can't be remedied with one therapy.”

Alternative Treatments Pros  Parents feel like they are taking action to help their autistic child.  Temporary improvements may be noticed,  however, parents “see improvement over time, and they give credit to the wrong thing.” some “gains are not because of the “treatment,” but because children mature as they age.” Cons  They’re Risky. Most “alternative” treatments have not been tested for safety or efficacy.  Most are extremely pricey!  They can interfere with the precious time that a child should be in behavioral therapy, which has actually shown to improve the symptoms of ASD.

My Two Cents Autism has become increasingly common in our society today, which has sparked my interest in the issue. I do not have an autistic child of my own, ( I have friends who do) so it is extremely difficult to give my opinion on the issue. However, I have done a fair bit of research on the matter, and found the opinions of some very credible sources. From what I have learned, there is no cure, there is no drug therapy that has been proven safe or effective, there is no sound evidence that a strict diet helps, and there is no exercise or technique that instantly alleviates symptoms. There is however, time. There are medical professionals and parents (like you) who devote their time and resources to providing autistic children with one on one time in the areas of behavioral and developmental therapy. They perform exercises that include, “specialized play used to improve eye contact, communication and motor skills.” This therapy is long and intensive, and the earlier it begins, the better. ASD is a life long disorder, but the symptoms can improve through long concerted efforts. There is hope in the fact that, “rising demand for proved treatments is attracting money for research.” Maybe one day there will be a cure for Autism, but in the mean time, staying hopeful, supporting each other, and working tirelessly to help these beautiful children grow, is the best treatment!

 American Academy of Pediatrics. Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Amercian Academy of Pediatrics, Print.  Autism Speaks.org,. n. pag. Web. 21 Apr  Baron-Cohen.Bolton,Wheelwright,Scahill,Short,Mead,Smith, Simon, Patrick, "Autism occurs more often in families of." (1998): Web. 30 Mar  Lauritsen, Marlene Briciet (09/01/2005). "Effects of familial risk factors and place of birth on the risk of autism: a nationwide register-based study.". Journal of child psychology and psychiatry ( ), 46 (9), p b8ba97-fa5e-46b3-a6a ddbb92f%40sessionmgr111&vid=4&bquery=(Etiology+of+Autism)&bda ta=JmRiPWFwaCZjbGkwPUZUJmNsdjA9WSZ0eXBlPTEmc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saX Zlhttp://web.ebscohost.com.dbprox.slcc.edu/ehost/results?hid=112&sid=c 2b8ba97-fa5e-46b3-a6a ddbb92f%40sessionmgr111&vid=4&bquery=(Etiology+of+Autism)&bda ta=JmRiPWFwaCZjbGkwPUZUJmNsdjA9WSZ0eXBlPTEmc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saX Zl  Shute, Nancy. "Desperate for an Autism Cure." Scientific American (2010): Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 22 Mar Works Cited